'Vinifera', a socio-political term

Using the distinction that 'species' in the context of sexually reproducing organisms is a gene pool whose individuals can produce fertile offspring, there are only two vitis species: 'muscadine grape' and 'grape'. If you go back far enough, both Vitis species come from North America.   Here is an ancestry chart for Vitis based on "A phylogenetic analysis of the grape genus (Vitis L.) reveals broad reticulation and concurrent diversification during neogene and quaternary climate change":

Most grape breeders are aware of this, but it doesn't feel comfortable.  That's the socio-political or cultural side intruding on our thoughts.

As breeders, we should try to differentiate the scientific and cultural, though.  Vinifera means 'European commercial grape' and European's have every right to define what specific ancestry provide membership in that socio-political class.  If Canadians want to think of themselves as 'European', and use the same definition for vinifera, it is equally logical.  

Logical, but delightfully inconsistent.  Folks in Germany, who have an interest in doing things differently than France, call the variety 'Regent' vinifera.  Folks in Canada, who have an interest in doing things like they are done in France, don't.  In fact, sales of 'Regent' grapes are banned in Canada. 

In general, I try to avoid using the term 'vinifera' entirely.  When the term comes to mind, I just replace it with 'European commercial grape'.  Everyone knows what I mean, and there is no confusion between the scientific and socio-political. If we want to breed a healthy, good tasting grape for the region we live in, the term 'vinifera' confuses our efforts.   

Of course, once you want to sell the results of your breeding, the socio-political is impossible to avoid.  Participating in the world of commerce requires one to live with certain logical impossibilities.

Ref: "A phylogenetic analysis of the grape genus (Vitis L.) reveals broad reticulation and concurrent diversification during neogene and quaternary climate change" Yizhen Wan,et. al.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3750556/

Ohio uses a 90% Ohio grown grape threshold

I came across an interesting comment that sheds some light on the 'Go Texan' wine label debate I've followed and participated in.  The comment was in the Feb 28, 2014 issue of the 'Ohio Grape-Wine Electronic Newsletter'.   It cites a presentation called “A Review and Update on The Ohio Quality Wine Program” by Todd Steiner, OSU State Enologist:

"The Ohio Quality Wine Program has been in the works since 2007 and wines that are submitted to it and receive a silver medal score or better qualify for the Quality Seal. Some stipulations are that the quality wine must be made from at least 90% Ohio Grown Grapes and you must have at least 50 cases on hand for sale. The amount of case requirements is lower for Ice Wines for participation in the Ohio Quality Wine Seal program. All wines are analyzed to ensure that quality and chemical requirements are in compliance. When you purchase a wine from a retailer/wholesaler with an OQW Seal on it you can rest assured that the wine inside is a high quality wine and a great representative of that particular variety."

It seems Ohio uses a 90% Ohio grown grape threshold, runs a wine tasting contest, and if you get silver or better, the award logo can be placed on the logo.

A peek at the Vitis family tree

This is a very interesting chart.  It is too big to display here.  Please click on the link and locate monticola, rupestris and vinifera.

It comes from the article, "A phylogenetic analysis of the grape genus (Vitis L.) reveals broad reticulation and concurrent diversification during neogene and quaternary climate change", by
Yizhen Wan, (lead author)
Heidi R Schwaninger,
Angela M Baldo,
Joanne A Labate,
Gan-Yuan Zhong,
Charles J Simon

According to the chart, which uses DNA evidence to track several million years of grape migrations, it seems the family tree of the vines we know of as 'vinifera' (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, etc.) started off in the North American gulf region.  Members of this gene pool split off and crossed what is now the western deserts and then hopped to Asia, probably using the land bridge across the Bering Straight. In fact, this migration seems to have crossed through Texas, since some of the earliest groups to split off stayed in the Texas hill country (monticola).  Based on this work, one of the closest North American relatives to the vinifera gene pool seems to be rupestris, a wild vine found across the American south, including Glen Rose.

Today, at 3 PM, it was 21 degrees outside.

Yesterday at 3 PM, it was 84 degrees here in Glen Rose.

Today, at 3 PM, it was 21 degrees.  I wouldn't be surprised if we don't get into single digits, tonight.

I've got one vine past bud-burst in the greenhouse, but in the vineyard, there are a lot of vines on secondary buds and some vines with the entire bud killed.  At least, that's my interpretation.  I've attached some photos of buds (taken on warmer days).  In the photo, the 3 top images show secondary bud developing.  The dead buds have no fuzzy development, and the scales get shiny and slightly pull away from what must be a dessicated interior.  In two images, the primary died and fell off.   In the lower left, the whole bud seems to have died. 
























It would be nice to correlate a specific freeze to primary bud death, and deduce the critical temperature, but it didn't occur to me that bud development took off so early.  We have had 5 hard freezes in the generally warming trend since late January when I first saw signs of  bud activity.  In the dormant state, temps in the lower 20s would not be an issue, but as the buds enlarge, some vines lose the ability to survive.  By bud-burst, a temperature of around freezing will kill the bud on most vines.

In the first warm up, back in January, I noticed Muscat of Alexandria buds starting to swell.  Knowing that we had lots of freezes coming, I moved it into the greenhouse.  It will live in a pot for as long as it lives here.  It's purpose here is 'pollen', not grapes.  I also brought in one of two Victoria Red vines.  Despite having less bud development, the Victoria Red has reached bud burst.  The Muscat seems to have lost its primary buds.  It went through at least one freeze before I could get it transplanted.   That, or the transplanting, probably caused the primary bud loss.

This should be a great year for breeding.  The vines that flower here will be demonstrating a great talent, and those will be the ones we use for the next generation.